Doctors nudged by overdose letter prescribe fewer opioids

I had thought in the past doctors were very shy about prescribing narcotics. Not
so much any more. There are patients that really need narcotics. Still it is
obvious more must be done. Drug overdoses including narcotics are 70,000 a year.
The heroin and fentanyl situation costs the nation $500 billion a year. Some
complain we cannot afford a wall even if 90% of the heroin walks across the
border. Even if the wall was $25 billion and it reduced heroin 10% that might
save us $50 billion. In Israel the wall stopped 99% of infiltrators.

one voteSalt Lake City, UT

Aug. 10, 2018 7:34 a.m.

Dispensing like candy is better for profits.

Thomas ThompsonSalt Lake City, UT

Aug. 10, 2018 6:32 a.m.

Prescribing fewer opioids is fine, of course, but only if there is an
alternative medicine that treats the pain people experience as effectively as
the opioids -- which is presently doubtful.

That said, opioids are
problematic for two reasons. First, it is all too easy for a patient to become
addicted to them. Second, the difference between a therapeutic does and a fatal
overdose is really rather small. Patients need to be thoroughly educated about
these facts by their doctor before an opioid is prescribed.

Mainly MeWerribee, 00

Aug. 9, 2018 6:30 p.m.

"More than 400 'Dear Doctor' letters, sent last year in San Diego
County, were part of a study that, researchers say, put a human face on the U.S.
opioid crisis for many doctors."

I very much doubt that the
decrease in prescriptions was entirely over concern about the human cost.
I'm very much convinced that it was about taking a hit in the wallet
through law suits and enforcement action. The almighty dollar rules the world.